How can I avoid catching syphilis?

If you're going to have sex, always use a condom (or a dam) and have safer sex.

The risks can be lowered if you reduce the number of partners you have sex with.

Take extra care when having sex in places where syphilis is more common (e.g. overseas or in saunas where men have sex with men).

How can I tell if I have syphilis?

If you've been feeling unwell and think you might be at risk (e.g. you're a man who has sex with men, you've had sex overseas or had many partners), tell your doctor. Be sure to ask about syphilis testing.

Many people will have no obvious symptoms for many years until serious damage to the body starts to show up.

Syphilis infection often follows several stages. The symptoms can easily be missed or confused with other health problems - even by health professionals.

A few days after sex you may notice a small, hard lump or swelling on the penis, the opening of the vagina, anus or mouth.

The lump can be painless and heal up or quite sore. Often, it's confused with genital herpes.

Days or weeks later you may get a rash on the palms of your hands, mouth ulcers or wart-like growths around your anus.

You might have a temperature and feel unwell. In rare cases, your hearing and vision may be affected.

If you have any of these symptoms or think you or your partner may be at risk, it's important you both get tested.

Syphilis testing

Syphilis testing is usually done by giving a blood sample and results should be available in about a week.